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15th out of 39 books
—
39 voters
Mistress of the Sea
by
Jenny Barden (Goodreads Author)
Plymouth 1570; Ellyn Cooksley fears for her elderly father's health when he declares his intention to sail with Drake on an expedition he has been backing. Already yearning for escape from the loveless marriage planned for her, Ellyn boards the expedition ship as a stowaway.
Also aboard the Swan is Will Doonan, Ellyn's charming but socially inferior neighbour. Will has cour...more
Also aboard the Swan is Will Doonan, Ellyn's charming but socially inferior neighbour. Will has cour...more
Hardcover, 416 pages
Published
August 30th 2012
by Ebury Press
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Historical fiction on a grand scale
Mistress Of The Sea is an intriguing, intelligent read set in the Elizabethan age of exploration and sea-faring. It’s obvious from the outset that this novel has been meticulously researched because vivid, historical details underpin every page. However, the history is written with a very subtle hand and it never once overpowers the narrative, even though it contains charismatic, real-life characters like Sir Francis Drake. It takes an expert author to combine...more
Mistress Of The Sea is an intriguing, intelligent read set in the Elizabethan age of exploration and sea-faring. It’s obvious from the outset that this novel has been meticulously researched because vivid, historical details underpin every page. However, the history is written with a very subtle hand and it never once overpowers the narrative, even though it contains charismatic, real-life characters like Sir Francis Drake. It takes an expert author to combine...more
From the vivid opening scenes of bear baiting, the reader is transported into an Elizabethan England far from the usual Court locations and characters. The initial setting for Mistress of the Sea is Plymouth and soon moves to the dangers of the exotic New World where the ruthless Spaniards and inhospitable terrain taunt Will Doonan, Ellyn Cooksley, Francis Drake and the rest of the privateers.
Jenny Barden captures all the smells, sights, sounds and customs of sixteenth century life with consumma...more
Jenny Barden captures all the smells, sights, sounds and customs of sixteenth century life with consumma...more
I’ve become something of a curmudgeon and have outgrown my love of romantic tales, but there is a world of historical romance lovers out there and I think they will find much to like in this novel. It is not available in the U.S., and I was lucky enough to purchase a copy in London. Mistress of the Sea is set in an Elizabethan world that I’ve rarely come across – most of the story occurring far from England’s shores. The author has done her research about Drake, his voyages and his ships, and th...more
Very good read.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Jenny and all I can say is that not only is she the loveliest person but an amazing writer. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it weaves a great story around what is a surprising amount of fact. Although it breezes through the history and blends the facts and fiction together in a way that you'll forget you're genuinely learning Sir Francis Drake's footsteps and will just sit back an enjoy a great story!
An awesome book!! Ellyn, Will, Francis Drake are all such vivid characters in this book. They come alive and you definitely want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen.
In #MistressoftheSea, Jenny Barden has created a highly readable, swashbuckling story of romance and adventure. One's senses are engaged in a visible, tangible, tastable, smellable melange of Elizabethan experience and adventure!
As designer of http://www.jennybarden.com I must declare an interest, but I can in truth say that it has been a great pleasure to work with Jenny and a joy to read the book.
On the eve of formal publication, I recommend it wholeheartedly!
As designer of http://www.jennybarden.com I must declare an interest, but I can in truth say that it has been a great pleasure to work with Jenny and a joy to read the book.
On the eve of formal publication, I recommend it wholeheartedly!
Receiving free through Goodreads First Reads
Aug 31, 2012
Laura
marked it as to-read
Recommended to Laura by:
Helen Hollick
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
pirate
Another pirate's story.
2 likes · like · see review
view 2 comments
To find Spring 2013
For the most part I enjoyed this book although at times it was slow.
The historical background was very interesting but the novel storyline was not convincing.
Jun 18, 2013
Erin
marked it as to-read
Jun 17, 2013
*~Serenity~*
marked it as pirate-romance
Jun 13, 2013
Heather Trahan
marked it as to-read
Jun 02, 2013
Rachael McDiarmid
is currently reading it
May 31, 2013
John Hanley
marked it as to-read
May 29, 2013
Helen
marked it as to-read
May 21, 2013
Jaclyn
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May 21, 2013
Kimberly
marked it as to-read
May 02, 2013
Samantha Schmidt
marked it as to-read
Apr 27, 2013
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2013
Tinney
marked it as to-read
Apr 22, 2013
Kendra Corey
marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2013
Amy Stevens
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2013
Erin
marked it as to-read
Apr 15, 2013
Amanda King
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Read-A-Lot's ...: Review - Mistress of the Sea by Jenny Barden | 1 | 10 | Dec 03, 2012 04:20am |
Jenny Barden has had a love of history and adventure ever since an encounter in infancy with a suit of armour at Tamworth Castle. Training as an artist, followed by a career as a city solicitor, did little to help displace her early dream of becoming a knight. Impelled by a fascination with the Age of Discovery, she has travelled widely in South and Central America, and much of the inspiration for...more
More about Jenny Barden...
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